Colin B. Vandell

Partner
Vandell Colin

Colin Vandell is a trusted adviser to clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, nonprofit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals. Colin's trial and arbitration practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including commercial, intellectual property, mass tort, consumer protection, and trust and estate disputes. These matters span a variety of industries, with an emphasis on entertainment and media, real estate, hospitality, and consumer products. Colin serves as chair of LGBTQ @ Venable, whose mission is to provide education and professional development opportunities for our firm’s LGBTQ lawyers, clients, and friends.

Colin's significant experience and his commonsense approach to litigation have yielded success for both plaintiff and defendant clients, from courtroom victories to high-stakes negotiated resolutions. By charting a comprehensive and aggressive strategy from the outset, and working closely with clients at each step of the litigation process, Colin has repeatedly demonstrated that lawsuits may be pursued and resolved efficiently and effectively.  

Experience

Representative Matters

Entertainment and Media

  • Represented a production company in a breach of contract and business tort dispute involving financing, production, and distribution of a sci-fi television series. Successfully enabled series to be completed on expanded scale
  • Represented a renowned musician and his business entities in a breach of contract and business tort dispute initiated by a former business partner. Removed action to federal court and obtained stay pending international arbitration, leading to expedited resolution
  • On behalf of the cast of a hit television series, facilitated new employment agreements in connection with application of California’s Seven-Year Rule
  • Represented a multinational health and fitness company in a California right of publicity action involving a model’s claims of unlicensed use of her image via product packaging and advertisements. Favorably resolved matter subsequent to plaintiff’s deposition
  • Represented a leading online music services provider in multiple copyright lawsuits filed by songwriters regarding Top 40 songs. Obtained dismissal, settlement, and/or indemnification in each matter
  • On behalf of a major online search provider, defeated an adult content website's copyright claims regarding thumbnail images of purportedly protected photographic content

Real Estate

  • Represented a Fortune 500 energy services company in more than 50 mass tort actions in trial court and mediation, brought by individual and institutional plaintiffs in connection with wildfires in Southern California. Resolved each matter and obtained dismissal with prejudice of the final pending wildfire-related case
  • Represents a charitable foundation in a multi-jurisdictional probate dispute involving a $500 million+ estate, breach of fiduciary duty allegations, and coordination with government entities
  • Represents a real estate development company in a breach of contract and fraudulent concealment action against the seller of a 1,600-plus acre undeveloped property in Ventura County, California
  • On behalf of a high-net-worth individual, successfully pursued claims in a real property and tort dispute arising from the break-up of a personal relationship. The dispute involved five related actions in multiple jurisdictions, unlawful detainer, and pursuit of unpaid judgments

Hospitality

  • Represented a global hospitality company in a partnership dispute involving a leading hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, involving such claims as contractual allegations and breaches of fiduciary duty. Defeated substantive claims on summary adjudication 
  • Represented an international hotel chain in a consumer class action regarding the use and disclosure of resort fees. Client and other defendants prevailed on summary judgment, which was upheld on appeal
  • Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of franchisee of a global restaurant chain in a dispute related to the calculation and distribution of royalty payments

Consumer Products

  • Represented an international fashion label in lease dispute regarding a flagship store in Beverly Hills. Successfully procured termination of lease
  • Represented a Fortune 100 home products retailer against environmental and false advertising allegations arising from the marketing and sale of paint products, resulting in negotiated dismissal of claims
  • On behalf of a clothing manufacturer, defeated a clothing designer’s trade secret and copyright claims regarding T-shirt designs
 

Insights

Credentials
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Education

  • J.D. University of Virginia School of Law 2005
  • Editor-in-Chief, Virginia Sports & Entertainment Law Journal

    Executive Editor, Journal of Law & Politics

  • B.A. summa cum laude Rice University 2002
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

  • California
  • District of Columbia

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Chair, LGBTQ @ Venable
  • Member, Venable Hiring Committee
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association 
  • Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • Member, Legal Council, The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law
  • Member, Professional Advisory Network, Motion Picture and Television Fund